My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding

is so

with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into

some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should

of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a Happy

the ‘Happy Birthday’

her

must blow out the

to Julian that there was no

the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice piped up

who wasn’t even at table height yet looking

of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake out to the

you!”

their paper plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole scene

of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank you,

don’t need to be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else. As for the

I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now.

changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting

she turned and headed toward the

inside her apartment and about to

slam, the door was propped open by

saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by

out on business? she

sideways into the house

“I see you’ve been getting along

took two steps back.

pulled off his necktie

unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin

her, forcing her back

Rachel had no idea what she

he caught hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the